Homes

Basement transformation was a labour of love

Before: (Infomart: Restricted, SouthParc: Restricted)
About Images
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Basement transformation was a labour of love
Vancouver Sun
Fri Mar 9 2012
Page: F2
Section: At Home
Byline: Colin McAllister And Justin Ryan
Column: Colin McAllister And Justin Ryan
Source: Special To The Sun
The basement, as you may already know, isn't - traditionally - an easy conversion.
For every dishevelled one we view, and for each client who aspires to a stylish lower level (that doesn't feel like a basement), there are many for whom good results can't be delivered due to that age-old problem - head height. Sure, if budget permits - and planning allows - virtually anything is possible, but it has to be said that reworking vertical proportions (in most circumstances) is a major challenge.
In our endeavours to inform, we could deliver countless cautionary tales of over zealous DIYers who've dug down beyond foundation level only to deal with "slippage" caused by missing side support. A dangerous issue like this can, of course, be avoided if the correct attention is paid to structural integrity before work commences, so think on and call a contractor who's suitably experienced.
In the meantime, let's consider today's before and after; a suburban basement that, pre reno, had in its favour three important aspects; monolithic square footage, an entire elevation above ground and, as its pièce de résistance, extraordinary ceiling height. Accordingly, its inhabitants were able to develop the space without the worry of excavation or rein-forcing retaining walls.
Enter Shalini and Shaun Mitchell, busy professionals, and Jackson, their cute-as-you-like wee toddler. Married two years, Shalini lived, until married, in a downtown condo while Shaun occupied the Richmond Hill, Ont., bungalow the couple now calls home.
As we set up our camera, Shaun explains that, while comfortable enough, "the space was a bit blokey though it definitely had potential. I guess it j

Photograph by: Lewis Patrick
, Postmedia News

The basement, as you may already know, isn't - traditionally - an easy conversion.

For every dishevelled one we view, and for each client who aspires to a stylish lower level (that doesn't feel like a basement), there are many for whom good results can't be delivered due to that age-old problem - head height. Sure, if budget permits - and planning allows - virtually anything is possible, but it has to be said that reworking vertical proportions (in most circumstances) is a major challenge.

In our endeavours to inform, we could deliver countless cautionary tales of over zealous DIYers who've dug down beyond foundation level only to deal with "slippage" caused by missing side support. A dangerous issue like this can, of course, be avoided if the correct attention is paid to structural integrity before work commences, so think on and call a contractor who's suitably experienced.

In the meantime, let's consider today's before and after; a suburban basement that, pre reno, had in its favour three important aspects; monolithic square footage, an entire elevation above ground and, as its pièce de résistance, extraordinary ceiling height. Accordingly, its inhabitants were able to develop the space without the worry of excavation or rein-forcing retaining walls.

Enter Shalini and Shaun Mitchell, busy professionals, and Jackson, their cute-as-you-like wee toddler. Married two years, Shalini lived, until married, in a downtown condo while Shaun occupied the Richmond Hill, Ont., bungalow the couple now calls home.

As we set up our camera, Shaun explains that, while comfortable enough, "the space was a bit blokey though it definitely had potential. I guess it just needed to be harnessed." Shalini kicks in; "Yeah, but your job meant you couldn't concentrate on the house, particularly the basement." Shalini, indeed, has a very good point because Shaun, it transpires, is a captain at Central York Fire Ser-vices and, for the longest time, his vocation took priority over his home. "I've always liked the house but, you know, work came first, especially when I was single."

Things began to change, how-ever, when the firefighter met his damsel and, while remaining steadfastly committed to his vocation, he's finally making time for himself. "Part of us considered moving but my family, with whom I'm really close, are just around the corner and work is nearby. And besides, we both love the area."

Decision making, it turns out, was soon made a whole lot easier as Shalini explains. "When the little fella came along we knew for certain we needed more room. And we love that, because of proximity, Jack and Dianne, Shaun's mom and dad, can see their grandson any time they want. After a lot of soul searching we decided to make the house fit our needs rather than vice versa."

Enjoying the same 1,500 square feet as the level above, the basement's transformation has been a labour of love, although Shaun concedes "its creation nearly got the better of us on various occasions. It just didn't seem to end."

We ask how hands-on the couple were and Shaun immediately picks up. "I'm lucky that a lot of my colleagues have secondary skills and, put simply, that translated into more hands on deck."

So team effort, then? Shaun smiles and, without hesitation, shares the glory. "You've no idea how much they helped. Sure, we brought in specialists whenever required, but much of it was down to the boys. They helped with drywall, painting, tiling and a whole load more. It would have been much more expensive if we hadn't been blessed with such good friends."

Towards the rear of the new family room, french doors yield to a terrace where, as well as ample space for al fresco dining, there's room sufficient for a hot tub, an asset which the extended Mitchell clan enjoys no matter what the Canadian thermometer is doing.

Back indoors, slick Karndean "Bearwood" covers the majority of the floor, setting an immediately warming tone without the attendant issues often associated with genuine timber. "We looked at various suppliers," proffers Shalini, "but when we stumbled across the team at Generations Flooring they went the extra mile when it came to advice on practicalities and finish.

"We initially veered towards a dark finish but, to reflect light and keep everything clean and crisp, we opted for a lighter tone. Shawn Daly, who owns and operates Generations Flooring, ensured the job was carried out to an impeccable standard and with minimal upheaval. At the end of the day, Karndean was probably one of the easiest decisions we've made."

At and around the bar, stone tile provides esthetic punctuation, delivering as it does solidity that simply adds to the room's earthy, organic feel. "I think Shaun and I surprised everyone with this place," explains the ever charming Shalini. "Some of our friends imagined that, because of our modernist leanings, we'd be tempted to create a very cut-ting-edge look, but that was never our plan. We both wanted our basement to feel warm and welcoming but getting that cosy feel in such a huge volume was always going to be a challenge."

Now complete, and with concerns averted, their home's lower level is the very essence of casual sophistication though it's certainly not short on con-temporary touches, such as the rectilinear living flame fireplace that appears to float within stack stone brickwork sourced at The Tile Shoppe, a great value, no-fuss supplier from whom we have ourselves specified on many occasions.

Our eyes darting everywhere, conversation eventually turns to furniture selection. "We started from scratch," explains Shalini. "It's our first place together so we wanted a united front rather than a hotchpotch of things pulled from our previous lives.

"We've always liked Corner-stone in Toronto, and when we heard they'd opened a new outlet in Cambridge we headed over." Pouring coffee, Shaun adds; "We didn't expect it to be a one-stop outing, but they carry an incredible inventory and we couldn't help ourselves. We picked out the display cabinet and, while doing so, we were also drawn to the dining chairs and bar stools."

And how about the table? "Same place. The minute we saw it we knew it was perfect." Running his hand across the deliberately irregular wooden surface he adds; "Getting it in here, though, was a struggle as it weighs over 400 pounds."

Another 911 call to his off-duty colleagues?

"It's amazing how big the lure of a home cooked dinner can be. We traded pasta and beer for muscle and sheer determination."

Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan are the hosts of HGTV's Colin & Justin's Home Heist and the authors of Colin & Justin's Home Heist Style Guide, published by Penguin Group (Canada). Follow them on Twitter @colinjustin or on Facebook (ColinandJustin). Check out their new candle range at www.candjhome.co.uk. Contact them through their website, www.colinandjustin.tv.

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Before: (Infomart: Restricted, SouthParc: Restricted)
About Images
[Click for information about this source]
Basement transformation was a labour of love
Vancouver Sun
Fri Mar 9 2012
Page: F2
Section: At Home
Byline: Colin McAllister And Justin Ryan
Column: Colin McAllister And Justin Ryan
Source: Special To The Sun
The basement, as you may already know, isn't - traditionally - an easy conversion.
For every dishevelled one we view, and for each client who aspires to a stylish lower level (that doesn't feel like a basement), there are many for whom good results can't be delivered due to that age-old problem - head height. Sure, if budget permits - and planning allows - virtually anything is possible, but it has to be said that reworking vertical proportions (in most circumstances) is a major challenge.
In our endeavours to inform, we could deliver countless cautionary tales of over zealous DIYers who've dug down beyond foundation level only to deal with "slippage" caused by missing side support. A dangerous issue like this can, of course, be avoided if the correct attention is paid to structural integrity before work commences, so think on and call a contractor who's suitably experienced.
In the meantime, let's consider today's before and after; a suburban basement that, pre reno, had in its favour three important aspects; monolithic square footage, an entire elevation above ground and, as its pièce de résistance, extraordinary ceiling height. Accordingly, its inhabitants were able to develop the space without the worry of excavation or rein-forcing retaining walls.
Enter Shalini and Shaun Mitchell, busy professionals, and Jackson, their cute-as-you-like wee toddler. Married two years, Shalini lived, until married, in a downtown condo while Shaun occupied the Richmond Hill, Ont., bungalow the couple now calls home.
As we set up our camera, Shaun explains that, while comfortable enough, "the space was a bit blokey though it definitely had potential. I guess it j

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